Over 250 Leaders Discuss Textile Sustainability at ATEXCON 2025

At the 12th Asian Textile conference (ATEXCON 2025), Vivek Arora from LMW emphasized the need for modernization in the textile industry through Industry 4.0, highlighting its role in sustainable manufacturing and digital transformation. The conference gathered over 250 industry leaders to explore opportunities for collaboration and innovation in the textile sector. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, efforts to achieve a fully circular textile chain by 2050 face significant challenges, as only a small percentage of textile waste is currently recycled into new garments, often leading to downcycling. Ghalia Nassar's research reveals that barriers in collection, sorting, and technological limitations inhibit effective recycling processes. Additionally, concerns are rising among impact investors regarding the profitability of eco-textile initiatives, with reports indicating that continued growth in global textile production contradicts critical climate goals. The need for a systems approach to textile recycling and more effective solutions is becoming increasingly urgent as the industry grapples with environmental sustainability.